Judges 5: The Song of Deborah
Deborah and Barak sing a triumphant poem, praising the God who marched out, shaming the tribes who stayed home, and blessing those who came.
Judges 5 (WEB)
1 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying,
2 “Because the leaders took the lead in Israel, because the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, Yahweh!
3 “Hear, you kings! Give ear, you princes! I, even I, will sing to Yahweh. I will sing praise to Yahweh, the God of Israel.
4 “Yahweh, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water.
5 The mountains quaked at the presence of Yahweh, even Sinai, at the presence of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
6 “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied. The travelers walked through byways.
7 The rulers ceased in Israel. They ceased until I, Deborah, arose; Until I arose a mother in Israel.
8 They chose new gods. Then war was in the gates. Was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless Yahweh!
10 “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way.
11 Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they will rehearse the righteous acts of Yahweh, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. “Then the people of Yahweh went down to the gates.
12 ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’
13 “Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down. Yahweh came down for me against the mighty.
14 Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim, after you, Benjamin, among your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the marshal’s staff came out of Zebulun.
15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.
16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben There were great searchings of heart.
17 Gilead lived beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by his creeks.
18 Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the deaths; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.
19 “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver.
20 From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.
21 The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength.
22 Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancings, the prancings of their strong ones.
23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said Yahweh’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help Yahweh, to help Yahweh against the mighty.’
24 “Jael shall be blessed above women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
25 He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish.
26 She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She struck through his head. Yes, she pierced and struck through his temples.
27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay. At her feet he bowed, he fell. Where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
28 “Through the window she looked out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’
29 Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,
30 ‘Have they not found, have they not divided the plunder? A lady, two ladies to every man; to Sisera a plunder of dyed garments, a plunder of dyed garments embroidered, of dyed garments embroidered on both sides, on the necks of the plunder?’
31 “So let all your enemies perish, Yahweh, but let those who love him be as the sun when it rises in its strength.” Then the land had rest forty years.
Judges 5 (KJV)
1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
2 Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
4 Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.
5 The mountains melted from before the Lord, even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel.
6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.
7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.
8 They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the Lord.
10 Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
11 They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates.
12 Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
13 Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the Lord made me have dominion over the mighty.
14 Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.
15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.
16 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
19 The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
20 They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
21 The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
22 Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.
23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.
24 Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
25 He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
26 She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.
27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
28 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
29 Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself,
30 Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?
31 So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.
Judges 5 (ASV)
1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
2 For that the leaders took the lead in Israel, For that the people offered themselves willingly, Bless ye Jehovah.
3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, evenI, will sing unto Jehovah; I will sing praise to Jehovah, the God of Israel.
4 Jehovah, when thou wentest forth out of Seir, When thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped, Yea, the clouds dropped water.
5 The mountains quaked at the presence of Jehovah, Even yon Sinai at the presence of Jehovah, the God of Israel.
6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, In the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, And the travellers walked through byways.
7 The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased, Until that I Deborah arose, That I arose a mother in Israel.
8 They chose new gods; Then was war in the gates: Was there a shield or spear seen Among forty thousand in Israel?
9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, That offered themselves willingly among the people: Bless ye Jehovah.
10 Tell of it, ye that ride on white asses, Ye that sit on rich carpets, And ye that walk by the way.
11 Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, There shall they rehearse the righteous acts of Jehovah, Eventhe righteous acts of his rule in Israel. Then the people of Jehovah went down to the gates.
12 Awake, awake, Deborah; Awake, awake, utter a song: Arise, Barak, and lead away thy captives, thou son of Abinoam.
13 Then came down a remnant of the nobles and the people; Jehovah came down for me against the mighty.
14 Out of Ephraimcame downthey whose root is in Amalek; After thee, Benjamin, among thy peoples; Out of Machir came down governors, And out of Zebulun they that handle the marshal’s staff.
15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; As was Issachar, so was Barak; Into the valley they rushed forth at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben There were great resolves of heart.
16 Why sattest thou among the sheepfolds, To hear the pipings for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben There were great searchings of heart.
17 Gilead abode beyond the Jordan: And Dan, why did he remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, And abode by his creeks.
18 Zebulun was a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death, And Naphtali, upon the high places of the field.
19 The kings came and fought; Then fought the kings of Canaan, In Taanach by the waters of Megiddo: They took no gain of money.
20 From heaven fought the stars, From their courses they fought against Sisera.
21 The river Kishon swept them away, That ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, march on with strength.
22 Then did the horsehoofs stamp By reason of the prancings, the prancings of their strong ones.
23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of Jehovah. Curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, Because they came not to the help of Jehovah, To the help of Jehovah against the mighty.
24 Blessed above women shall Jael be, The wife of Heber the Kenite; Blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
25 He asked water, andshe gave him milk; She brought him butter in a lordly dish.
26 She put her hand to the tent-pin, And her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; And with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote through his head; Yea, she pierced and struck through his temples.
27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay; At her feet he bowed, he fell: Where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
28 Through the window she looked forth, and cried, The mother of Siseracriedthrough the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
29 Her wise ladies answered her, Yea, she returned answer to herself,
30 Have they not found, have they not divided the spoil? A damsel, two damsels to every man; To Sisera a spoil of dyed garments, A spoil of dyed garments embroidered, Of dyed garments embroidered on both sides, on the necks of the spoil?
31 So let all thine enemies perish, O Jehovah: But let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.
Summary
Deborah and Barak break into song on the day of victory, one of the oldest poems in Scripture. They begin by blessing Yahweh because the leaders led and the people willingly offered themselves. The song recalls Yahweh marching out from Seir, the earth trembling and mountains quaking at his presence. It paints the desolation before the deliverance, when the highways lay empty and Israel had no shield or spear, until Deborah arose as a mother in Israel. The poem then reviews the tribes: it honors Ephraim, Benjamin, Machir, Zebulun, Issachar, and Naphtali for risking their lives, while pointedly rebuking Reuben for lingering among the sheepfolds, and Dan, Asher, and Gilead for staying away. It declares that the very stars fought from heaven against Sisera and the torrent Kishon swept his army away. Jael is blessed above women for her decisive act, and in a haunting final scene Sisera's mother watches at the window for a son who will never return. The song ends with a prayer that all God's enemies would perish while those who love him shine like the rising sun, and the land has rest forty years. It is worship that gives all the glory to Yahweh and calls his people to wholehearted devotion.
Voices
- Deborah — The prophetess and singer who leads the victory song, praising Yahweh, blessing the willing, and rebuking the tribes who held back.
- Barak — The commander who joins Deborah in the song, summoned to lead away his captives as the victory is celebrated.
- Yahweh (the LORD) — The God who marches out so that earth and sky tremble, before whom the stars fight and the river sweeps the enemy away.
- Jael and Sisera's mother — The woman blessed above women for her decisive blow, set against the enemy commander's mother who waits in vain at the window.
Key Verse
Judges 5:31 (WEB)
“So let all your enemies perish, Yahweh, but let those who love him be as the sun when it rises in its strength.” Then the land had rest forty years.
Lessons Learned
- Victory belongs to the Lord and calls forth wholehearted praise from his people.
- God honors those who willingly offer themselves for his cause and remembers those who hold back.
- All creation—earth, stars, and rivers—serves the purposes of the God who fights for his people.
- Those who love the Lord will finally shine like the rising sun, while his enemies pass away.
- Deliverance deserves a song. “I, even I, will sing to Yahweh” (Judges 5:3, WEB). When God saves, gratitude overflows into worship that retells what he has done.
- God honors willing hearts. “the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, Yahweh!” (Judges 5:2, WEB). The Lord delights in those who volunteer for his cause.
- All creation serves God's victory. “From the sky the stars fought… The river Kishon swept them away” (Judges 5:20-21, WEB). Heaven and earth are mustered for the rescue of God's people.
- Love for God ends in glory. “let those who love him be as the sun when it rises in its strength” (Judges 5:31, WEB). The future belongs to those devoted to the Lord.
- Why do you think Scripture preserves not just the account of the battle but also this song celebrating it?
- The song praises those who “offered themselves willingly” (5:2). What does willing, sacrificial service look like in God's people today?
- Several tribes are rebuked for staying home (5:15-17). Why does God take note of those who hold back, and how might we be tempted to do the same?
- How do the images of earth quaking, stars fighting, and the river sweeping the enemy away expand your view of God's involvement in this battle?
- The song ends praying that those who love God would shine like the rising sun. What would it look like for your love for God to grow more wholehearted this week?
- The song turns history into worship, fixing the memory of God's deliverance in Israel's heart and passing it to the next generation (5:1-3). Celebration is not optional decoration; it teaches and forms a people. Discuss how remembering and praising God strengthens faith.
- The poem repeatedly blesses those who risked their lives and volunteered (5:2, 9, 18). Willing service that costs something honors God, in contrast to grudging or absent participation. Encourage the group to consider where they might offer themselves more freely.
- Reuben lingered among the sheepfolds, Dan stayed with the ships, Asher sat by the sea (5:15-17). God notices when his people prize comfort over his cause. Gently explore the modern equivalents of staying home when God is calling us out.
- The song depicts the cosmos itself enlisted in the battle—trembling earth, fighting stars, the sweeping Kishon (5:4-5, 20-21). It lifts the eyes from human effort to the God who commands creation, deepening our confidence that he fights for his own.
- This is a personal-application question. Invite members to name one way their devotion has cooled and one step toward wholehearted love. As leader, hold out the hope of the verse: those who love God are destined to shine like the rising sun.